The USS Gerald R. Ford, currently stationed in the Red Sea, is expected to return to its home base in Virginia after a record 309-day deployment, marking the longest mission for a modern U.S. aircraft carrier. This withdrawal will reduce U.S. military presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran persist and diplomatic efforts remain stalled. President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. does not require congressional approval for military actions, citing the ceasefire as a pause in the 60-day War Powers timeline. The Ford's extended deployment has taken a toll on its crew and the vessel itself, which has faced technical issues and required repairs after a fire incident. The U.S. continues to enforce a blockade in the region, with two other carriers, the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Abraham Lincoln, also involved in operations aimed at intercepting Iranian oil shipments. Lawmakers have expressed concerns over the prolonged deployment, questioning the implications of such military actions. Trump claims that the blockade is weakening Iran's economy and reducing its military capabilities.